Byron Murray of Summerside is waiting for his WestJet flight from Copenhagen to Halifax to be rescheduled. Photo by Logan MacLean /The GuardianArticle contentByron Murray was only supposed to be in Copenhagen to catch a flight. He had already spent several days in Finland, where he attended a ringette tournament with his family, and he was trying to get home to Summerside.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentBut the day before his return flight to Halifax, the union representing flight attendants went on strike after bargaining on a new contract broke down.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentWhile that strike only lasted a day, it disrupted WestJet flights, which are slowly being rebooked.Article contentFor Murray, 82, that hasn’t happened yet. The airline has promised to help fund his stopover with $250 a day, but accommodations are closer to $600-700 per night, he said in an Aug. 4 Guardian interview.Article content“That’s what they said they’re giving me. Until I get it in my hands I won’t believe it.”Article contentAdded worriesArticle contentWestJet has rebooked flights for Murray’s family members, who were set to leave a few days after he spoke to The Guardian.Article contentThe wait is not all bad, as he and the family have been touring around Copenhagen. But the uncertainty is weighing on Murray’s mind. At this point, he just wants to get home, he said.Article content“It’s not pleasant. You know, it’s nice to be able to have a little holiday, but it would be better if I didn’t have to worry about how I was going to get home.”Article contentOn Aug. 5, WestJet told The Guardian it was operating all its scheduled flights that day, while staff worked to help customers impacted by the disruption.Article contentArticle content“We sincerely thank our guests for their patience, flexibility and understanding as we continue our recovery, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard,” said a spokesperson who did not provide their full name or title.Article contentArticle contentCUPE membersArticle contentCUPE 8125 announced its members had taken a strike vote in mid-July, before announcing a 72-hour deadline to reach an agreement on July 30. That did not happen, and the strike began Aug. 2. A tentative agreement came on Aug. 3, but only after the airline had grounded all its flights.Article content WestJet flight attendants stand on the picket line outside Halifax Stanfield International Airport August 2, 2026. They are being represented by CUPE Local 8215. Photo by Ally Bowes /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentAt issue is a longstanding complaint for flight attendants: unpaid work they are required to perform before and after each flight. There was also a request for increased wages. The expired collective agreement legislates wages and working conditions for around 4,400 workers.Article contentWhile the airline and union reps have reached a tentative agreement, there are few public details.Article content“This tentative agreement represents meaningful progress. It evolves the flight credit system by recognizing more of the work cabin crew are required to perform and with general increases to compensation for that work,” said CUPE 8125 president Alia Hussain in a release.
Summerside, P.E.I., man waiting in Copenhagen after WestJet strike cancelled flights
